Happy Birthday To Me!

Another year older! I really enjoyed celebrating the 5th anniversary of my 29th birthday. This year was extra special because it was the first year Megan could sing "Happy Birthday" to me.

On my actual birthday, John brought home my favorite dessert in the whole wide world . . . a princess cupcake from the Pink Moon Cupcake Bakery. John actually had to make two trips to the Pink Moon - the first time he put the cupcakes in his car and went back to work. When he came out at the end of the day, they had melted everywhere. What a great guy . . . he went back to get more. He told me this story just as I finished my cupcake. Desperate for another one, I asked, "What did you do with the melted cupcakes? Is it possible they are still edible?" Pink Moon cupcakes are that good!

The Sunday after my birthday, my mom had a little celebration at her house for my brother and I. (Ever since we have been little, we've shared our birthday parties since his birthday falls on July 17 and mine on the 10th. He hates sharing his party with me . . . check out the look on his face.) Just kidding - he smiled for the next picture that was taken, I just didn't like how I looked in it. Sorry Spike!

We swam in my parents' pool and had a great time. Megan can swim by herself this year, with the help of floaties on her arms. She zips around the pool like a little fish.

I was so excited to get a sewing machine from my parents for my birthday! The other day my mom laughed at me when she saw, "Learn to sew" on my list of things to do. I just didn't want to forget! I guess that is a funny thing to put on a to-do list, as if I could cross that off just like I cross off "buy stamps." ha, ha

I try to keep the date of my actual birthday a little low key because my beloved Papa died on my birthday. It is tough to mention my birthday without remembering what a huge part of it he used to be. When I was little, I had huge birthday parties with all the neighborhood kids in my backyard. Since it was so close to the 4th of July, my Papa would put on a huge fireworks show in the backyard. (He smuggled the "good" fireworks in just for me from Canada. shhhh) He always made me feel so special and loved. The night before he died, I knew he was suffering and whispered in his ear that he could go. I told him how much he meant to me and how much I respected the kind of man he was. I told him my fiance John reminded me a lot of him. I told him we would all be ok and he could go if he needed to. To this day, I am so glad I had the chance to tell him those things. John and I also tracked down his priest for Last Rites and I know that meant a lot to him. If he had known it was my birthday, he would not have died that day . . . I just know it. That was my Papa. I miss him so much!